That's according to an article by Reuters.
The two sports networks are Comcast SportsNet New England and Comcast SportsNet Bay Area and the dispute is over both their standard-def and high-def channels.
DIRECTV says Comcast, which owns both networks, is asking for too much money to carry them and that it plans to seek arbitration to reduce those fees. Reuters reports that executives at both companies say the channels will likely remain on the air during the arbitration process. (DIRECTV's agreement with Comcast expired on December 31.)
"We continue to negotiate in good faith and have put a fair offer on the table that reflects the growing value of our networks, the investments we have made in them, and is reasonable based on market trends," said a Comcast spokesman, according to Reuters.
The arbitration is permitted under a Federal Communication Commission rule adopted when the agency approved Comcast and Time Warner's purchased of the Adelphia cable systems.
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